Transcript Job Search Strategies - University of Kentucky

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Over 85% of the jobs in today’s job market
are not heavily advertised
Personal networking remains the number
one way people obtain employment
76% of successful job searches were
attributed to personal contacts
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Network with “warm contacts”
◦ Warm contacts on average include about 50
people you already know--who are they, for
you?
◦ Each of those 50 people knows 50 or so other
people
◦ Keep your warm contacts informed on what
you are looking for
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Friends
Parents of Friends
Advisor
Faculty Members
Student Development
Staff (RA)
UK Alumni
Former co-workers
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Relatives
Neighbors
Family acquaintances
Organization
members
Former Teachers
Former employers
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Network with “cold contacts”
◦ People that you do not know or have an
established connection with
◦ Endless numbers—up to you on how assertive
you become
◦ Develop from “warm contacts” or on your own
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Names received from your warm contacts
Names you get from job postings
Companies/names you get from internet
research
Companies or organizations you find in
the phone book or from just passing by
Professional association member names
Job fair connections
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An introduction is a must
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Include:
◦ Introduction of yourself
(major, graduation date)
◦ Knowledge of company
◦ Express interest in the
company and/or opportunities
◦ Tell what you can offer
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Making Your First Impression
60 – 65% of communication to others is non-verbal
communication
Tips for Non-verbal communication for an introduction
Dress professionally
Make good eye contact
Smile
Give a firm handshake
If wearing nametag, wear on your right side for easy
readability
Speak clearly
Listen carefully for names when introduced
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Your name
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Your class year and major
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Your career interests as they relate to the
target company or organization
Let’s practice now!
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Explain your circumstances
◦ Graduating in May with a Social Work degree and looking for a
case management position
◦ Junior English major looking for a copy editing internship for
this summer
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Ask if they know of or anticipate any
related openings in their setting
Ask how they make their opening known
Ask if you could send your resume
Get additional referrals, if possible
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Indirect way of making job contacts
Request 20-30 min. appointment (in person
or on phone)
Goal is to learn more about their
occupation, work setting, and journey
Prepare questions ahead of time
Goal is NOT to ask for a job
Send a thank you card
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How long have you worked here?
Describe a typical day.
What do you like most about your job? Least?
What education and training did you receive to get
to this point?
What is unique about your setting when compared
to others?
What qualities and skills are most needed to
succeed in this field/setting?
What suggestions do you have for someone
breaking into this field?
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Linkedin www.linkedin.com
◦ Build profile and recommendations
◦ Build connections
◦ Job postings feature
◦ Provide status updates about your
search
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Job Resources through www.twitter.com
◦ Job Angels http://twitter.com/JobAngels
◦ Follow HR professionals/recruiters
http://jimstroud.com/twittering_recruiters_dir
ectory.pdf
◦ Consider separate accounts for personal and job
search updates
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Learn more before you begin:
◦ To Tweet or Not to Tweet
http://blogs.hillandknowlton.com/kayemonty/
2009/02/27/to-tweet-or-not-to-tweetpradvice-career-hr/
◦ How to Use Twitter in the Job Hunt
http://www.cio.com/article/482324/Twitter_Ti
ps_How_to_Use_Twitter_to_Job_Hunt
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Employers pay attention
◦ According to a CareerBuilder.com survey, 26% of
employers say they used the web to research job
candidates
◦ One in ten use social networking sites in
screening process
◦ 63% found details on social networking sites that
led to dismissal of a candidate
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Be careful: Don’t post content on your or
your friends’ sites you don’t want your
employer to see
Be discreet: Consider setting your profile to
“private” so you control who sees your site
Be prepared: Check your profile regularly to
monitor comments. Google your own name
periodically to see what comes up. Be
prepared to respond to questions.
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View job postings from the following sources
◦ Postings sent to UK (Wildcat CareerLink Jobs)
◦ NACElink Network
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Utilize search agents
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Upload resumes and post in resume books
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Get employer contacts from employer database
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Apply for on-campus interviews
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Get details about job fairs
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Tuesday – Thursday
◦ 12:00-3:00
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15 minute career consults
◦ Resume critique
◦ Cover letter critique
◦ Questions regarding internships, job searching,
interviewing, and graduate school.
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Career counselors are available for
individual appointments with students and
alumni that include:
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Interpreting career assessments
Exploring careers related to majors
Resume critiques and job search letters
Practice “mock” interviews
Job search strategies
Evaluating job offers and salaries
If you want individualized assistance with this
process you can make an appointment with a
Career Counselor
Contact the Career Center 859-257-2746